Mark Zuckerberg, can you address these queries on net neutrality?

MUMBAI, INDIA: A couple of days after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg spoke about Net neutrality and vouched his commitment toward the cause, volunteers of savetheinternet.in an open letter, have raised questions over the Internet.org platform.

During his town hall address at IIT Delhi on Wednesday, Zuckerberg said his company is committed to net neutrality, but supported zero-rating plans which have been criticized by many as violates the principles of a free Internet.

In an open letter to Zuckerberg, the team wrote it’s “a matter of distress” that Facebook through its Internet.org platform and lobbying on regulatory consultations, has sought to undermine net neutrality in India.

“Even today, Internet.org has restrictions that those services which compete with telecom operator services will not be allowed on it,” the letter said.

The letter said its concern with Internet.org/ Free Basics is that it will create a new digital divide: those who access Facebook and its partner services, and those who access the open Internet.

The volunteers alleged that Internet.org is not an open platform and “all we are asking for is for you to ensure that any such effort to bring access to the Internet ensure that users get access to the entire Internet, and not through a pre-determined menu or filter, which primarily benefits those who are selected for the platform.”